Theresa welcomes more young people in Maidenhead studying core academic subjects

9 Feb 2015

Theresa May has welcomed the news that more students in the Maidenhead area are studying the core academic subjects which will help them to get the best start in life. New figures show that the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is encouraging more young people in the local area to study core academic subjects. The new EBacc is awarded when students achieve A* to C in five core GCSE subjects including English, Maths, Science, Humanities and Languages – the courses that universities and employers value the most.

There has been a 50% increase in students in the Maidenhead constituency taking a GCSE in these subjects compared to 2010, meaning they are gaining the skills they need to get a good job or go on to further study.

The EBacc is part of the Government’s commitment to deliver the best schools and skills for young people. By encouraging schools to enrol pupils for GCSEs in these core academic subjects, and restoring rigour to the National Curriculum, the Government is raising standards and making GCSEs more ambitious, putting them on a par with the best in the world and preparing our pupils for life in modern Britain.

Commenting, Theresa said: “It is great that there has been a 50% increase in students studying the core academic subjects that universities and employers value the most. The Government’s actions to drive up standards in schools are having a positive effect in Maidenhead. We need good quality, rigorous exams to help students gain the skills they need to succeed. This is crucial to giving young people the best start in life and ensuring that they are not held back by low expectations.”